Currently, Swarthout is not confident enough in his sound to head into the studio, but hopes to get comfortable with the idea by next winter. Swarthout is looking forward to recording more obscure songs by artists like Russell and Willie Nelson, as well as some original pieces.

"I want people to realize there is more out there than Jimmy Buffett," Swartout says.

Swarthout became obsessed with music at a young age, after an introduction to The Beatles.

"From then on, I knew I wanted to be a part of that in some shape or form," Swarthout says, referring to his first Beatles experience.

Born in Michigan, but raised in Maine, Hawaii and other states, Swarthout was an only child of an army family and used music to help make friends. Self-taught on guitar, Swarthout continued to focus on music throughout high school and into his 20s.

Swarthout eventually moved to Texas, hoping to find an outlet and muse for his music.

Songwriter Shake Russell became Swarthout's saving grace, reassuring and encouraging him to continue down the path he had chosen. "(Shake) was a huge influence on why I stayed with music," Swarthout says. Swarthout returned to St. Augustine in 2002, after a short move back to Texas, which he hoped would stimulate a songwriting nerve. The move proved to be a small success, yet Swarthout is still struggling with his original pieces, admitting, "they just aren't right yet."

For now, visit 'Just' Wade at Tradewind's Lounge on from 5 to 8 p.m. Sundays and sometimes on Fridays and Saturdays at Milltop Tavern.